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When the Earth Shakes, So Does the Narrative

Natural disasters have an extraordinary way of exposing far more than collapsed buildings and fractured roads. They expose governments. An earthquake is an unforgiving auditor. It tests the strength of infrastructure, the preparedness of emergency services and the resilience of communities. Just as importantly, it tests the character of those in power. The recent twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela have once again demonstrated a truth that extends well beyond South America. When catastrophe strikes, governments face two battles. The first is against the disaster itself. The second is against the story that emerges from it. Too often, the latter begins to eclipse the former. The Battle for Information In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, reports suggested that rescue efforts struggled to match the scale and urgency of the devastation. Journalists arriving in some of the hardest-hit areas encountered not only scenes of destruction, but increasing restrictions on access. As c...
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Ruto's Wild Goose Chase: The Hollywood Odyssey That Isn't Hollywood-ing


In a whirlwind of comedy and confusion, Kenya's President William Ruto embarked on what was supposed to be a triumphant tour of America, aiming to boost Kenya's standing in Hollywood and sell it as a prime filming destination. However, what is ensuing is a series of misadventures that has left Kenyans scratching their heads and chuckling at the absurdity of it all.

Ruto's grand plans began with a promise of rubbing shoulders with Hollywood elite at Tyler Perry Studios. Yet, much to everyone's surprise, Perry himself was nowhere to be found. Instead, the Rutos (wife, children, kila kitu...presumably the family dog too) were greeted by none other than the affable TV host Steve Harvey, who, in a bizarre twist, announced Perry's absence, citing a mysterious journey "out of town."

This unexpected encounter with Harvey, coupled with Ruto's previous gaffe of claiming a partnership with the Grammy Awards (which, for the record, have no ties to Hollywood), set the stage for a comedy of errors that would rival any film starring Medea. January, as the saying goes, came and went silently like a ship in the night.

Adding insult to injury, Harvey casually mentioned his upcoming vacation plans to visit Kenya in September, conveniently sandwiched between shooting episodes of Family Feud in South Africa. Kenyans can't help but wonder: Did Ruto's highly publicised tour of America inadvertently become a promotional campaign for Harvey's holiday itinerary?

Meanwhile, Ruto's ambitious promises of Hollywood relocating en masse to Nairobi seem more like wishful thinking than a concrete plan as his grand scheme peters out. (Perhaps its time to slot in, slideways if I must, that hope is not a plan.) Despite his assurances, the Innovation Studios of Hollywood remain elusive, opting instead to set up shop in South Africa, much to the chagrin of Kenyans who had been eagerly awaiting the influnx of Tinseltown talent.

As the dust settles on Ruto's Hollywood odyssey, Kenyans are left with more questions than answers. Was this a case of misplaced priorities, or simply a comedy of errors? Regardless, one thing remains clear: Ruto's foray into Hollywood has been more farcical than fabulous, and people are wondering if the real entertainment is happening on screen or right before their eyes.

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